World Cup countdown begins at Wanderers
Charlie Austin - 26 November 2002
Sri Lanka and South Africa begin their final world cup countdowns on
Wednesday when the two sides meet for the first game in a five-match ODI
series at Wanderers.
With teams compelled to announce a 30-man pool at the end of this month, and
then their final 14-man squad by December 31, time is running out for
experimentation.
"This is an important period of our world cup preparation," said South
Africa skipper Shaun Pollock after the team's final practice session.
"We now have ten games in a row and by the end of this we should have our
gameplans in place and know which personnel we are going to use."
But Pollock wants his side to first concentrate on winning the series.
"Sri Lanka are the number three side in the world at the moment and
represent very tough opposition," he said. "Although the world cup is the
back of everyone's minds, the key is to carry on winning and build
confidence."
Both sides still have selection issues to resolve before the December
deadline.
South Africa have concerns over the make-up of their middle order and form
of all-rounder Lance Klusener who has scored just 189 runs in his last ten
innings with a highest score of 39.
The world's most destructive batsman at his peak during the 1999 World Cup,
he has since become virtually strokeless after a loss form and confidence
and is now facing the axe.
"We know what he is capable of doing so it not a case of him proving his
ability but he has to show form with the world cup coming up," said coach
Eric Simmons.
South Africa have picked a 14-man squad for the opening two games, excluding
veteran batsmen Darryl Cullinan and Gary Kirsten.
That provides Boeta Dippenaar with a chance to cement a place in the middle
order.
South Africa will be without the services of one-day specialist Jonty Rhodes
who has strained his left hamstring. His place will be taken by Justin
Ontong.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are looking for support bowlers Hasantha Fernando,
Pulasthi Gunaratne and Prabath Nissanka to state their credentials for World
Cup berths during the next two weeks.
"This is ideal preparation for the world cup as we are playing on the same
pitches," said Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya.
"The bowling is the important area at the moment. Both (Chaminda) Vaas and
Dilhara (Fernando) have been performing well and they have to be supported."
"Prabath (Nissanka) is a quick bowler in the same mould as Dilhara and
Pulasthi (Gunaratne) has performed well for us in the past and at the
weekend – they need to take their chance."
Jayasuriya promised no let up in his sides aggressive approach: "I was
really happy with the way that we fought back in the last Test. We have to
be aggressive if we are going to win overseas."
Veteran Aravinda de Silva returns to the fold after sitting out the Test
series. He is certain to play despite only mustering five runs in 44 minutes
against South Africa A at Potchestroom.
That disappointing batting performance by the Sri Lankans, coupled with the
fact that the Wanderers pitch is expected to favour quick bowlers, means
that Sri Lanka are set to play seven batsmen and four fast bowlers.
Hashan Tillakaratne, recalled to the national squad for the first time since
the 1999 world cup after his unbeaten century in the Centurion Test,
contests the final batting place with Jehan Mubarak.
Mubarak, who also offers another option with the ball with his off-breaks,
is expected to play after his brilliant fielding at Potchestroom, but
Tillakaratne will get a chance during the course of the series.
Russel Arnold, who will share 10 overs with De Silva and Mubarak, gets a
chance to overcome his wretched Test form.
Jayasuriya will not bowl unless there is an emergency but is certain to play
after recovering sufficiently from an ankle injury.
Sri Lanka:
Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold,
Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene,
Hasantha Fernando, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Pulasthi Gunaratne,
Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Prabath Nissanka,
Hashan Tillakaratne
South Africa:
Shaun Pollock (Capt), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan
Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener,
Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith,
© CricInfo
